Information on the U.S. Coast Guard's Decision to Purchase the M/V Cowslip Vessel.
Abstract
We have reviewed the Coast Guard's decision to purchase the Cowslip and found no basis to conclude that the purchase decision was improper. However, the Coast Guard relied on its own assessments of the relative conditions of both vessels. These assessments were not verified by a separate Coast Guard in-house assessment or by commercial vessel surveyors. Furthermore, cost comparisons developed by the Coast Guard and used in the purchase decision were based on cost estimates provided by the Coast Guard's Office of Engineering and were not independently verified. The final decision to purchase the Cowslip was approved by the Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of Transportation. In conducting our work we reviewed Coast Guard vessel inspection reports and purchase, renovation, and repair cost data used in evaluating the relative merits of the two vessels and arriving at the purchase decision. We met with and held discussions with Coast Guard officials who (1) performed the vessel inspections, (2) developed the cost data used in making the purchase decision, and (3) made the decision to purchase the Cowslip. We also held discussions with Department of Transportation officials involved in the purchase decision. Our work was conducted at Coast Guard and Department of Transportation Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107374
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office